2021 -- H 5777

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LC001939

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2021

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- BUSINESS NOTIFICATION

ACT

     Introduced By: Representatives Giraldo, Alzate, and Williams

     Date Introduced: February 24, 2021

     Referred To: House Corporations

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Title 42 of the General Laws entitled "STATE AFFAIRS AND

GOVERNMENT" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following chapter:

CHAPTER 160

BUSINESS NOTIFICATION ACT

     42-160-1. Business notification act.

     (a) The state shall inform any licensed business in the state of Rhode Island when a

substantial change(s) is made to regulations and such change(s) materially affect said business,

including, but not limited to, any changes pertaining to licensure requirements, health and safety,

hours of operation, or any other conditions which said business is subject to by the state.

     (b) Such businesses materially affected from any change made by the state shall be

informed by mail from the appropriate state regulatory agency, shall provide:

     (1) Clear identification on the outside of the envelope stating the new business regulation

which may impact the business;

     (2) The regulatory change(s) being made;

     (3) The information in both English and Spanish; and

     (4) Contact information of the appropriate regulatory agency so the business may contact

the agency with any questions.

     42-160-2. Opt-in for notification by other means.

     Any business may inform its pertinent regulatory agency to receive notification of a

regulation change(s) by email, phone call or text message instead of by mail. If a business does not

inform its regulatory agency of alternative means of notification, it shall be notified pursuant to §

42-160-1.

     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- BUSINESS NOTIFICATION

ACT

***

     This act would establish the business notification act which requires businesses to be

notified by mail of any material change made by the state or regulatory agency, including, but not

limited to, any changes pertaining to licensure requirements, health and safety, hours of operation,

or any other conditions which said business is subject to by the state. This act would also allow

businesses to receive notification of a new regulation by other means than mail, including email,

text message and phone call.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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